22-23 April 2017: BOACC Ashbourne Living History Festival, Ashbourne, Co. Meath

On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 April 2017 the BOACC Ashbourne Living History Festival took place at Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA Club.  This year’s festival was intended to mark the centenary of the death of the republican leader  Thomas Ashe, and showcased Ashbourne’s link to Thomas Ashe, along with his contribution to the struggle for Irish independence and the role of the battle of Ashbourne in bringing him to prominence in 1916-1917.
The festival took place over both days and incorporated a wide range of events in the main exhibition area in the Donaghmore/Ashbourne indoor arena, including screenings, multimedia displays and lectures. There were also be outdoor displays of military vehicles and vintage cars, and a number of re-enactments and outdoor displays will take place on Saturday and Sunday relating the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, the 1798 Rebellion, and the 1919-21 War of Independence respectively. To celebrate the special role of music in the life of Thomas Ashe, the festival incorporated TradAsh, the Ashbourne traditional music festival which will take place at venues throughout Ashbourne over the course of the weekend. BOACC and TradAsh coordinated an extensive musical line up for the festival weekend, which concluded with a parade to commemorate Thomas Ashe and the Battle of Ashbourne. Learn more about the festival and the full schedule for the weekend.

From Century Ireland: the Battle of Ashbourne.